Top Rug, Carpet & Upholstery Articles

We've been cleaning carpets for a long time at Alameda. Over the years we have heard a lot of different thoughts and beliefs about carpet cleaning. Here are a few of the misconceptions that we hear over and over. Misconception #1: You should wait as long as...

There are many systems to choose from in the marketplace. You hear from just about every cleaner that their method is the best. The fact is that one should not choose a carpet cleaner based on cleaning method alone. A customer could get a good job or a poor job with...

What distinguishes one carpet cleaning company from another? Not using gimmicks, trick, and dishonesty to get your business but instead of providing excellent service, you can depend on again and again. RIP-OFF #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE. To some degree, all of us are...

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the carpet cleaning process take?

About 1 hour per 300 cleanable square feet. This varies depending on soil and job

How soon can I walk on it?

Keep pets, children, and regular traffic off of carpet for a period of 6 hours. The homeowner may use the carpet lightly immediately after cleaning by wearing white socks or the white booties that we provide.

Wait at least 24 hours before removing Styrofoam blocks and plastic tabs that are put in place to protect the furniture and carpet. Some carpets may still feel slightly damp for up to 18 hours depending on carpet and soiling condition. This is normal and will not cause any problems.

Do you move the furniture?

Our regular pricing includes moving sofas, chairs, tables, end tables, etc. Beds, dressers, and heavier pieces are left in place under our regular pricing structure.

Can you clean carpet or rugs over hardwood floors?

Yes, we have our system set up where the backing of the carpet or rug is not saturated, so there is no problem with wood floors underneath. No problem with edges either, our rinse does not affect hardwood floors. However, if you prefer, we can use plastic or carpet padding under the edge of rugs while cleaning to prevent any solution from coming in contact with the floor.

What stains can you get out?

Alameda Cleaners can remove any spot that is not a permanent stain, however, there are conditions in which permanent staining is present. The following is a list of conditions, which may or may not be removable. The percentage listed next to the condition is thePROBABILITY OF SUCCESSthat we have of removing it, NOT the percentage of stain that will be removed.

Yellowing (50%)– yellowing can be as simple as neutralizing the spot or area by spraying a solution on it, or it can be impossible to remove. There are many unknown causes for yellowing so that it cannot be guaranteed.

Filtration soiling (black lines around baseboard) (25%)– We can usually get some of the filtration soiling out, but it almost never comes all the way out. Filtration soiling is when carpet “Filters” soil going through cracks and crevices. The particles are so fine, and it goes all the way down the sides of the yarn and through the backing, which makes it almost impossible to remove.

Urine (50%)– when urine is fresh and has not been cleaned by an alkaline spotter, the chances are good. If the urine has been there a long time, the chances are slim. However, urine will continue to deteriorate the carpet, so it is extremely important to remove the urine deposits even if the spot does not come out. Every day we remove urine spots and every day we find urine spots that will not come out, so it’s unpredictable. It is very important to know that we have a 4-step urine treatment procedure that is included in our specialty spotting: When cleaning a urine spot, we first apply urine pre-treatment that helps to break down the urine and neutralize it. The spot is then thoroughly extracted. If the spot is still there, we use other specialty spotters to attempt removal. The final step whether the spot comes out or not is to spray an enzyme on it that will continue to break it down and help with the odor if any.

Urine odor– We have an odor treatment process in addition to our urine spotting. See odor treatments.

Blood (75%)– If blood has not been cleaned, if hot water or alkaline cleaning products have not been used, chances are good, but no guarantee.

Rust (85%)– Chances for rust removal are excellent, however never a guarantee.

Red dye (crayon, makeup, Kool-Aid, cat food throw up, fiberglass insulation) (20%)– Red dye is almost impossible to remove unless conditions are exactly right. If the carpet is new, the chances are better. In many cases, the only way to remove red dye is with a heat transfer process. Very low chance of red dye removal in most cases.

Lipstick (50%)– Chances are good that we will be able to remove it with solvents, however, some lipstick may be in the red dye category which gives it slim chances for removal.

Furniture stain (01%)– almost impossible.

Coke (95%)– Usually not a problem.

Tea (70%)– Tannin spots can sometimes cause a permanent stain, but we usually have fair success.

Coffee (70%)– same as tea, however, coffee many times is spilled when very hot which can make it more difficult.

Ketchup (50%)– ketchup can go either way. Sometimes it comes out easily, other times it enters into the red-dye category.

Mustard (15%)– Can be very difficult at times. Many times it is impossible.

Paint (enamel) (20%)– Although we have removed a lot of enamel paint, there has also been a lot that we have not. Case by case basis, no guarantee.

Paint (latex) (75%)– Usually good results, however, colored latex can permanently stain carpet, and hardened latex can be impossible.

Crayon (50%)– We carry excellent solvents, but can go either way.

Water rings (70%)– We carry special products for water rings and have good success overall, but still sometimes doesn’t come out.

What about recurring spots?If the spot returned within a day or so after the cleaning, then it was either not removed or wicked back or it was not removed but appeared that it was removed. If the spot returned after a week, two weeks, or a month or so, it probably either has some residue from cleaning agents left behind, or the spot was oily or sticky and was not totally removed, therefore collecting soil in that same area again.

My carpet has bleached or faded spots, can you correct that?If there is color loss in the carpet, we can do a carpet repair for you by replacing that area of carpet with another piece from a closet or it may be able to be spot dyed.

Indention from heavy furniture– No guarantee can be made on removing indention from furniture. In addition to the pile of the carpet being crushed, the backing of the carpet is indented. Heat and moisture and hand grooming with our equipment will help tremendously, but it may take time to completely release back to normal IF it comes back all the way. Severe cases do not come back 100%.

What specialty materials do you clean?

Berber– Absolutely. Berber is a weave, not a particular type of fabric. Berber is simply a type of loop construction that may come in olefin, nylon, wool, or a blend. Berber requires a more thorough cleaning than other carpets because the “flushing” action needs to take place to get under, around, and through the loops. Other companies that are not as thorough have a number of problems with Berber because they leave soil behind that “wicks” back to the service.